FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It’s just another protocol like HTTP using which your browser connects to a web server or FTP server. This protocol is mainly designed for file transferring as the name itself suggests. Technically it stands over the TCP/IP.

Using this method you cannot only download from the server, but also you can upload files. Here, both process is fast as the protocol is mainly designed for file transfer.

Now there are quite a few ways in which you can use FTP.

First of all you can use any of your favorite browsers like Mozilla, IE etc to download the files from the server. But uploading can not be done here. For uploading you have to use one of the following ways.

You can use your Windows/Linux machine to connect to a FTP server. There are a few commands to do that which you can easily learn.

Otherwise the best way to handle FTP transfers is to use dedicated FTP Clients. The client takes care of all the low level details for you. You have to know about certain things before you use FTP.

• Whenever you connect to a FTP server you will be asked for a “User Name” and “Password”. So you must have an account on the FTP server. Some servers allow “guest” login also, where the “User Name” is “anonymous” and “Password” should be your valid “email id”.
• Once you are connected to a server you will given a certain access level there. Sometimes you can download files from the server, or sometimes you can upload also.

Now there are certain benefits of using FTP over other traditional methods. Such as

• The whole transfer process is very fast compared to any other method.
• File transferring is done in the most secured way.
• There is no fear of loosing data due to interrupted internet connection. Because you can always resume your downloads or uploads.
• Further multiple file transfer is available.
• If the server is over loaded with too many connections then you can simply wait. Yes, there is a “Queuing” option available.
• You can also “schedule” or transactions.
• And moreover you can also different scripts situated on the FTP server provided you have given the required permission.